The Fusion of Oils and Flavors

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In the world of cigars, "marriage" describes the process where the natural aromas and oils of the tobacco leaves combine and meld together. This process gives rise to the true, inherent, and unique flavor of the cigar.

In the Marriage Room

Cigar Marriage Special aging rooms are always set up in cigar factories, where the already-rolled cigars are stored until they eventually reach the market and, finally, you, the cigar enthusiasts. During this maturation process, they lose moisture, making it both an aging and drying process. Here, the oils and aromas of the different tobacco leaves—Ligero, Seco, and Volado, which each bring unique strengths and flavor profiles—blend together. To facilitate this exchange of aromas, the rolled cigars are stored in bundles in these aging rooms, also known as marriage rooms. It is through this "marriage" that the cigar ultimately acquires its own flavor and unique character. This process defines the final aroma of your favorite cigar and is perhaps the most intriguing phase of its creation.

From Harvest to Aging

After harvesting, the tobacco leaves are first stacked in large piles to allow for the initial, natural fermentation of the tobacco. This requires precise climatic conditions, as fermentation relies on three essential factors: humidity, heat, and pressure. The optimal humidity level is around 80%, and the temperature should be between 50 and 60°C. This initial fermentation takes place in specially designated drying houses. During this process, the tobacco leaves are repeatedly turned over—because to roll a great cigar, the torcedores need tobacco that is as evenly fermented as possible.

The second fermentation stage involves sorting the leaves according to wrapper and binder. The stems are removed from the leaves, which are then lightly sprayed with water. This second fermentation takes place in the actual factory, and recognizing the right moment to end the fermentation requires a lot of experience. It becomes evident that time and expertise are irreplaceable in the cigar world—whether in storing and processing the tobacco, crafting individual cigars, or ultimately, in your local cigar shop. Some brands, such as Cohiba, even use a third fermentation for their tobacco leaves.

Once fermentation is complete, the best torcedores and torcedoras in the factories roll the cigars, bringing these coveted items into form. Off to the sale, then? Not quite. The cigars are taken to the aging rooms, bundled, and stored. The marriage of oils and aromas can begin. To give you a sense of the timescales we’re working with: the marriage process is not something that happens in a morning. It takes several years before the finished cigars are finally shipped out.

Aging of Cigar Aromas

Changing Aromas

The aroma of a cigar doesn’t just change during the marriage process in the aging rooms. Cigars also absorb the surrounding aromas when they have long been resting in your humidor at home, waiting for the moment when you finally enjoy them. They take on the aroma of the wood in the humidor, which is why it should always be lined with Spanish cedar wood. Its natural aroma blends particularly well with that of the tobacco. Moreover, the cigars themselves, resting side by side or stacked in the humidor, continually exchange flavor notes with one another. If you want to influence this ongoing process, it’s advisable to partition the humidor with dividers, also known as dividers. To preserve the individual flavor of each cigar, you can also leave them in their cellophane wrappers. How much you allow for aroma exchange is entirely up to your preference.